A cluster computer system including multiple network accessible computers that are each coupled to a network. The network accessible computers implement host computer programs which permits the network accessible computers to operate as host computers for client computers also connected to the network, such that input devices of the client computers can be used to generate inputs to the host computers, and such that image information generated by the host computers can be viewed by the client computers. The system also includes a cluster administration computer coupled to the multiple network accessible computers to monitor the operation of the network accessible computers. A method for providing access to host computers by client computers over a computer network includes receiving a request for a host computer coupled to a computer network from a client computer coupled to the computer network, wherein the relationship of the host computer to the client computer is to be such that after the client computer becomes associated with a host computer, an input device of the client computer can be used to generate inputs to the host computer, and such that image information generated by the host computer can be viewed by the client computer. Next, a suitable host computer for the client computer is determined, and the client computer is informed of the network address of the suitable host computer. Nodes of the network can be non-terrestrial.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method for providing a network accessible computer over a TCP/IP protocol network comprising: providing a host computer connected to a TCP/IP protocol network, said host computer running a host computer program; and providing a client computer having a display and input devices and running a client computer program and a web browser program, said client program being transmitted to said client computer via said network, where said client computer is connected to said TCP/IP protocol network wherein said client computer program facilitates the transfer of input device events from the client computer to the host computer such that the input devices of said client computer can be used to generate inputs to said host computer as if said input devices were connected to said host computer by sending signals through said network, and wherein image information may be displayed on a display within a window of said browser program running on said client computer as if said display were connected to said host computer by sending signals through said network by transmitting encrypted information about said host computer's screen to said client computer over said TCP/IP protocol network; wherein said host computer program is responsive to keyboard events and pointing device events of said client computer as transmitted to said host computer over said TCP/IP protocol network as facilitated by said client program running on said client computer; and wherein said host computer provides said client computer with said client computer program.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said host computer comprises: a central processing unit; memory coupled to the central processing unit; and an interface coupling said central processing unit to a TCP/IP protocol network.
3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said host computer program is responsive to keyboard events and pointing device events of said client computer as transmitted to said host computer over said TCP/IP protocol network in conjunction with said client program running on said client computer, said host program transmitting said image information to said client computer over said TCP/IP protocol network for display in said browser window of said browser program running on said client computer.
4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said image information includes web page information.
5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said host computer is operable to transmit said client program to said client computer over said TCP/IP network.
6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said client program is a JAVA applet.
7. The A method of as recited in claim 1 wherein said screen information is transmitted once a fixed period of time has transpired since the previous transmittal of said host computer's screen information.
8. The A method of as recited in claim 1 further comprising: receiving connection information by said host computer from said client program running on said client computer, where said host computer validates said connection information and extracts events from said connection information, where said events are placed in said host computer's event queue.
9. The A method of as recited in claim 1 further comprising: establishing a connection between said host computer and said client computer, said connection initiated by said client computer; transmitting said client computer program from said host computer to said client computer over said TCP/IP protocol network, said client computer program being operable to allow input devices of said client computer to generate inputs to said host computer; transmitting client information from said client computer to said host computer over said TCP/IP protocol network, where said client information includes client interests, client resolution information, and client computer events; and transmitting host computer screen information from said host computer to said client computer.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
February 28, 1997
July 18, 2006
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